In college, it can be very challenging at times to live a healthy lifestyle. However, the good news is that it is very possible to make simple, easy changes and still see results! Whether your looking to lose weight, maintain your current body, or just feel better overall, these quick tips can make a world of difference!
Here are some of my personal favorite ways to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle while in college:
1. Eat breakfast.
Mornings are already hectic to begin with, so finding time to sit down and have a nice breakfast when you could be sleeping in doesn't always seem like the ideal choice. However, starting your day with some fuel can help lessen mid-day crashes or snacking. There are many easy options such as smoothies or overnight oats that take little energy or effort! If you opt for a granola bar, make sure it's one with real ingredients (such as dates or other dried fruit) and low sugar to prevent from crashing!
2. Walk whenever possible.
In the cold State College winter, it can be easy to just take the bus or Uber to class, but walking around campus is an easy way to get those steps in! Plus, our campus looks so pretty with snow on the ground (and all the time for that matter)!
3. Get active!
From school work to club meetings, it's no secret that most Penn State students find their days busy enough to begin with, making heading to the gym not always easy. But going to break a sweat doesn't have to be a chore! I personally love going to workout classes with my friends because it gives me a chance to release stress and spend time with them. I find that dedicating a set time every week to work out makes it so much easier to stick to a routine. Even if you can only hit the gym for 30 minutes or do a quick 20 minute run, you can still get a good workout in, and you'll feel so much better afterwards!
4. Hydrate!
Drinking water is so important for your health! It can help prevent the dreaded "Penn State plague" and even help your skin! Plus, increasing your H2O consumption can fight against the dreaded afternoon headache! Try adding sliced oranges or lemons for some added flavor (and a great Vitamin C boost!)
5. Sleep well.
Us college students are so busy with school and outside activities that sleep is often the first thing we do when we have a lot on our plates. That being said, sleep can make a huge difference in our overall health. You'll feel better, and your body will thank you. I personally try and get between 7-8 hours (at minimum) of sleep per night.
6. Make healthy food choices.
If you live on campus, you know that eating healthy in a dining hall can be difficult, especially with all of the not-so-healthy options constantly tempting you. Eating healthy doesn't mean you have to eat salad for every meal if you don't want to! Start small by incorporating at least one serving of fruits or vegetables into each meal, and then slowly add more as you go. Smoothies made with fresh fruit and veggies are also an easy and convenient way to get your daily servings of fruit!
7. Keep nutritious snacks around.
We all know too much snacking isn't good for you, especially when those snacks are processed and contain little to no nutrients. If you keep healthier options such as fruit, hummus and carrots, or even popcorn around, it's much easier to stay on track. If you keep all unhealthy snacks in your room or apartment, the temptation will definitely be there!
8. Limit late night snacks.
It's tempting to grab that bag of chips late at night as you finish cramming for that exam, but snacking too close to bed time is definitely not the way to go! Your body doesn't burn as many calories when you sleep, so eating a lot late at night is not going to be beneficial for your health. Try to make breakfast or lunch your largest meal of the day, and then eat a lighter dinner. This will also help reduce any late-night cravings to begin with!
9. Avoid sugary drinks.
Cutting back on sugar-packed sodas and juices is one of the simplest, yet most effective, ways to begin a healthy lifestyle. These beverages have pretty much no nutritional value at all. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks can improve your skin and your overall health quickly. Plus, you won't have to deal with any mid-afternoon crashing!
10. Treat yourself!
The key to sticking with a healthy lifestyle is allowing yourself to indulge once in a while! Personally, I like to treat myself to ice cream after doing well on exams or any larger assignments. Allowing yourself to never have foods you enjoy and completely limiting yourself to only healthy foods usually leads to binge-eating, and creates a negative relationship with food. Eating ice cream or pizza once in a while won't do you any harm!
These are just a few of my favorite ways to stay healthy as a college student. Making simple changes is the best way to see results and to ultimately feel better overall!
